title: Is biofix necessary for predicting codling moth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) emergence in Washington State apple orchards?
abstract: The heat-driven phenology model used for initiating codling moth, Cydia pomonella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), management in Washington state was examined to determine the need for using the capture of the first moth as a method of synchronizing the model and phenology of field populations (= biofix). We examined trap catch data taken at 1-2-d intervals from two research orchards; one data set encompassed a 28-yr period and the other data set a 4-yr period. We also examined consultant-collected data taken at 7-10-d intervals from 15 sites (N = 81), mostly between 2001 and 2005. At the two research sites, we found the mean biofix occurred at 96 degree-days (DD) (DD Celsius by using 10 degrees C lower threshold and 31.1 degrees C horizontal upper threshold) after 1 January (SD = 14.4; min. = 68, max = 122). After correcting for longer sampling intervals in the consultant data set, the biofix at the nonresearch sites occurred at 97 DD (N = 50, SD = 14.4; min. = 74, max = 120), nearly identical to that at the research sites. We also examined the performance of the codling moth model at predicting moth flight and egg hatch using a biofix and by just accumulating heat units from 1 January. The model performance was similar in both generations regardless of whether a biofix was used. The elimination of biofix simplifies management and eliminates mistakes associated with poor trap catch, particularly in low-pressure situations where mating disruption reduces trap efficiency.
authors.affiliation: Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Department of Entomology, Washington State University, 1100 N. Western Avenue, Wenatchee, WA 98801, USA. vpjones@wsu.edu
authors.forename: Vincent P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Doerr
authors.forename: Jay F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Brunner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D027845:Malus; D008954:Models, Biological; D009036:Moths / Q000254:growth & development*; D010063:Ovum / Q000254:growth & development; D013997:Time Factors; D014861:Washington